Several emails have come in over the last many days asking how we’re managing here with this winter’s extreme cold temperatures and excessive snow storms. Apparently the New England storms and subzero temperatures have become worldwide news. I very much appreciate all the concern and good wishes… although we’re used to harsh winters and impressive snow depths, and we’re well prepared to deal with both, I have to agree… this winter has been something else.
It almost feels like we’re living in a cave because of the way the snow banks are closing us in. The snow is so deep that it would extend up past the bottom half of the downstairs windows if we didn’t clear most of it away. But we’re running out of places to put the shoveled or plowed snow. Even the snow banks alongside the roads are as tall as a person now, and the paths near the houses are like tunnels. We’ve had huge snowstorm after huge snowstorm… eighteen to twenty-four inches seems to be the usual prediction these days when the weather people tell us a new storm is about to hit. And then there’s the snow that has to be shoveled off all the roofs… that has to go somewhere too.
I think the main reason this winter has felt so almost unbearably harsh is because we’re having all these heavy snowstorms AND unusually cold temperatures at the same time, with almost no respite from either. For weeks now the temperatures have stayed below freezing during the day and dropped considerably below zero at night. Wind chills have consistently been between twenty and fifty degrees below zero. The weather people keep advising everyone to stay inside because the wind chill is so dangerous, and warning that frostbite can happen in as little as five minutes. When the snow stopped from the most recent storm, the temperature was five below zero with a wind chill of twenty-five degrees below zero… not ideal conditions for shoveling and snow-blowing.
Our electricity has been off quite a bit, and we’ve had problems with our Internet and telephone service too, with both being on and off and then on again. We’ve had a few days of frozen pipes and cars that wouldn’t start… but we have a generator, and the wood stove for cooking and heat when the electricity is off for a while. We also have an alternate source of water that doesn’t have to be pumped with electricity. We have lots of wood and plenty of food, kerosene lamps and candles… and most of the time we have been warm and comfortable.
One thing is for sure, though. This year spring can’t come soon enough!
Douglas (Northern VT)
We’ve had much the same here in northern Vermont. I am so tired of shoveling! We have a snowblower but it doesn’t exclude shoveling. I remember that day you mentioned. The wind chill was almost unbearable but I still had to shovel out the access to the mailbox before the mailman arrived. I enjoyed this post because it has been so similar here.
Sondra M
I’m an Aussie and we’ve been having a typhoon. 8 inches of rain in less than 2 hours one day last week. I read somewhere that each inch of rain will make 10 inches of snow. I’ll take the rain. My sympathies for your extreme winter. We hear about it all the time on our news so yes, you’re right, it is worldwide news.
Amanda P.
I live in the UK and yes, we have seen reports about your weather. We get some snow but I can’t imagine the depths of snow I see in your photos. Absolutely love your blog and look forward to each new post!
Jack T
Just looking at your snow photos makes me want to go put on a jacket! I live in Arizona and have all my life so I can’t even imagine what it is like to go through that much cold and snow every year. Your blog is one of the most enjoyable blogs on the internet, and I really enjoy what your writing. Thanks and keep up the good work.